Mastering tax education while managing life’s biggest commitments
Published: 13 Feb 2025
Andrea Holm, Senior Accountant, BDO Brisbane was dux of CommLaw 1 Australian Legal Systems in Study Period 1, 2024
Balancing the demands of professional growth and family life has been a challenge Andrea embraced with determination. As she demonstrates, with the right mindset and a passion for learning, anything is possible.
A career built on problem-solving
With a Bachelor of Business from QUT, Andrea has spent the past decade honing her expertise in Business Services within accounting firms. She later pursued her Chartered Accountant designation in 2020, solidifying her technical knowledge and advisory skills. But what drew her to tax in the first place?
“It came down to how I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of tax,” Andrea shares. “Being able to solve complicated issues for my clients and having their appreciation is the most rewarding part of my job.”
Studying during parental leave
While many professionals take a break from formal study during parental leave, Andrea saw it as an opportunity. Wanting to stay engaged and challenged while away from work, she enrolled in CommLaw 1 – Australian Legal Systems through The Tax Institute Higher Education.
“I undertook CommLaw 1 as I am on parental leave but still wanted mental stimulation while away from work,” she explains.
Studying while caring for a baby was no small feat. Andrea found creative ways to balance learning with parenting, proving that flexible study options can fit into even the busiest schedules.
“I managed to read a lot of the required course materials on an e-reader while looking after my baby. My husband is also studying, so we had to coordinate who got to study and who looked after our baby – while also making time for quality family moments,” she says.
Discovering a passion for commercial law
Despite years of experience in tax and accounting, Andrea found new and unexpected areas of interest while studying CommLaw 1.
“Learning about tort law was the most interesting part of the subject,” she says. “I didn’t have any experience with torts before, and I found it fascinating – especially how it applies in the commercial world and interacts with contract law,” she noted.
Beyond tort law, Andrea also gained valuable insight into the process a Bill goes through to become an Act, an essential part of understanding the legal framework behind tax legislation.
Flexibility that works for busy professionals
Andrea credits the structure of The Tax Institute Higher Education courses for making study manageable alongside her personal commitments.
“I enjoy the flexibility the courses provide. As a busy professional, it’s not always possible to find time to study every week. The course is structured so you can study at your own pace,” she explains.
She contrasts this with her university experience, where weekly lectures and tutorials were compulsory. “While that approach works for full-time students, it doesn’t suit professionals working full-time who can’t commit to weekly lectures or tutorials.”
Advice for others considering study
For tax professionals contemplating further education, Andrea has one key piece of advice: just do it.
“While it is hard to balance work, study, and a social life, the knowledge and skills you gain enhance your tax expertise in ways that would take much longer through work experience alone,” she says.
Having since completed the Chartered Tax Adviser Program, Andrea is committed to continuing her tax education and building on her expertise.
If you’re looking to deepen your tax knowledge and advance your career, find out more about the Chartered Tax Adviser Program.
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